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Robert Townsend, Vice President, Corporate Services, DENSO International America, Inc.
Robert Townsend is vice president of Corporate Services at DENSO International America, Inc. (DIAM). Located in Southfield, Michigan, he is responsible for overseeing External Affairs (Government & Community Affairs), Corporate Communications, Sustainability and Facilities.
Townsend joined DENSO in 1996 as a Safety, Health and Environment specialist. He was responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of a system-consistent ISO 14001 program for DIAM and all North American DENSO manufacturing operations.
In 2000, Townsend was promoted to SHE section leader where he guided the development of DENSO’s North American Environmental Action Plan. In 2002, he was appointed manager of SHE and directed the development of DENSO’s second North American Environmental Action Plan, charged with Ecovision 2015. Townsend became senior manager of SHE in 2003, where he established DENSO’s product organization Substance of Concern to ensure compliance with environmental requirements, reinforcing the elimination of hazardous substances in our products and promote product recyclability.
In his current role, Townsend leads North America Government & Community Affairs, North America Corporate Communications, North America Sustainability and DENSO International America, Inc. Facilities Operations.
Prior to working at DENSO, Townsend worked with an environmental consulting company as an environmental specialist and safety program manager.
Townsend received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Occupational Safety and Health from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.
Townsend is vice president of the DENSO North America Foundation and a board member of the Automotive Industry Action Group and Michigan Economic Development Foundation. Townsend chair's MichAuto's Advocacy Commitee and is an active member of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturing Association; Original Equipment Suppliers Association; Organization for International Investment; National Manufacturers Association; Michigan Manufacturers Association; Regional Detroit Chamber of Commerce and Southfield Chamber of Commerce.